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 The
chameleon will be remembered as the small lizard with the
remarkable faculty of being able to change its color in such a
way as to blend with its surroundings. Some who like to be known
as Christians manifest a similar characteristic.
This
chameleon Christian assumes the “color” of those with whom
he associates and whose favor he courts, whether saints or
sinners. What they are governs his words and actions more than
what he is. His conduct always conforms, even in the company of
carnal—minded companions. He blends by proving himself
proficient in the smutty language of worldlings and by
expressing delight in their vulgar humor. When with the crowd
that walks after the flesh, he keeps in-step; he runs with the
pack “into the same excess of riot” (2 Pet. 2:l0; 1 Pet.
1:4). His abused taffy-like conscience will allow just about
anything a situation may seem to justify. He is adept at mixing
with the world and identifies with those of darkness with such
ease that they never suspect him of being a Christian.
But,
there is another kind of chameleon Christian. This one is more
subtle and sophisticated and his conforming is less obvious
because it is done on a much higher plane. He seeks identity
with the successful, the influential, and the elite within the
world community. While this blending is often done under the
guise of social, civic, or business obligation, it is with
careful tact and discretion — and with a view toward
gaining approval and acceptance, whether for reasons of pride or
profit.
But,
regardless of how this blending is
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motivated or accomplished, it is always
hurtful to the believer —whether realized or not. Courting the
world’s favor means partaking of its flavor. “Be not
deceived: bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Cor. 15:23,
NASV). One must be like the world to be liked by the world (Jn.
15:19) —and just about anything that gains the approval and
esteem of’ the world can become a hindrance to serving God
(Oh, how we need to learn this! — and teach it to our young). Nothing
can justify seeking man’s approval above God’s — it is
sinful and so are the motives that prompt it. There are simply
no right ways to achieve wrong objectives or to
express wrong motives! This urge to please men is not only
wrong, it is intensely strong — strong enough to keep some
from confessing Christ (Jn. 12:42); strong enough to cause
another to deny his discipleship while “blending” by the
enemy’s campfire (Jn. l8:17-27) —and strong enough to tempt
any disciple to fashion himself’ according to this world,
wherein he makes wrong friends and wrong enemies. (Jas. 4:4).
What
most blending believers fail to realize is that their efforts to
identify with the world are far more successful than they ever
intended. In convincing some that they are “of the world”,
they also convince God! They forget that by walking in darkness
with the world they sever their fellowship with God (I Jn. 1:6).
The name and claim may not change, but the chameleon Christian
soon becomes the chameleon worldling —a sinner who sometimes
seeks to pass himself off as a Christian. Dan S. Shipley
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